VCK to launch movement to retrieve encroached Dalit land in Tamil Nadu
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Chennai: President of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) of Tamil Nadu and Member of Parliament, Thol Thirumavalavan has announced that his party will commence a movement across the state to retrieve lands belonging to the Dalits encroached upon by others.
In order to initiate the movement, VCK floor leader Sinthanai Selvan has already sent questions in the Assembly regarding the land and its present occupants.
"I have already sent questions and is expecting a reply on the floor of the house during the budget discussions and we will commence the official movement for restoring the lost Panchami land hereon", an IANS report quoted a VCK leader saying
The land popularly known as Panchami land was gifted by the British to the Dalits of the state and according to a Madras High court judgment 12 lakh acres were given. However state government records show only 1.09 lakh acres of land under the Panchami lands, of which 17,159 acres was encroached by people of other communities.
Earlier,on June 25, Thirumavalavan whose party is part of ruling DMK alliance, had met the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and handed over a representation requesting Stalin to intervene in the matter and to provide justice to the Dalit community.
The VCK has already formed a committee to chalk out future action plans including massive agitations and protest marches across the state even as the party is part of the ruling alliance.
Meanwhile, state BJP unit is also upping its ante regarding the lost Panchami lands. Party national executive committee member, Tada Periyasamy, who is working on the issue for several years is following up the matter.
"The 2011 state government data has revealed that 17,159 acres of Dalit land are encroached upon in Tamil Nadu and successive governments have not done anything for that." Periyasamy said
He also added that even though The government of Tamil Nadu had three commissions studying the issue and had given report, nothing much was achieved by it.